US Ambassador Mark H Gitenstein has completed his diplomatic assignment in Romania and has returned to the US, the Embassy announced in a press release on Friday. Deputy Chief of Mission Duane Butcher has become charge d'affaires ad interim as of December 14.

Mark Gitenstein has returned to private life in the US after more than three years in office, the release says.

Duane Butcher will serve as charge d'affaires until the next Ambassador to Romania arrives.